Melanie Marzen

Educator/Teacher, Technologist

Melanie Marzen is an educator and coordinator dedicated to amplifying student voices through the intentional use of technology. Her work with student-led storytelling began in 2015 within her own Geoscience classroom at Evanston Township High School. After transitioning into her role as an Instructional Technology Specialist, she partnered with teachers across various disciplines to bring the TED-Ed Student Talks program to the wider ETHS community. Over the last six years, this collaborative effort has resulted in the recording of over 1,600 student talks. Melanie’s work is centered on using digital tools to build community rather than just deliver content. This includes collaborating with Northwestern University’s Center for Enlightened Disagreement to develop ways for students to bridge divides and engage in productive, difficult conversations. In addition to her work at ETHS, Melanie has been an Adjunct Lecturer for Northwestern University’s MSED program since 2025. She also applies her background in STEAM education as a co-developer for the science application "Earthtunes," where she focuses on curriculum development and the student user experience.